Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
Translating Evidence into Disability Practice
Postgraduate | LTU-DIS504 | 2020
Course information for 2020 intake
View information for 2021 course intakeExplore how lived experience, theory and research come together to inform the disability policies we live by today. Gain the confidence to be able to unpack the theory and design of programs used today – including their strengths and weaknesses.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- -
FEE-HELP available
Translating Evidence into Disability Practice
About this subject
Note: This subject is a part of La Trobe University's Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice, which will become available for application in Semester 2. Students who complete this subject in Semester 1 will be able to apply for credit towards these programs.
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Synthesise information, concepts and theories surrounding areas of selected disability practice;
- Interpret and transmit information about the different types of knowledge used in disability practice;
- Reflect critically on the values and ideologies that inform contemporary aspects of disability practice;
- Critically evaluate the effectiveness and impact of types of interventions or programs in disability practice;
- Justify the need for an alternative intervention or program in disability practice;
- Communicate research findings effectively and sensitively with colleagues, clients and the public.
- Scoping
- Review
- Synthesizing evidence
- Research evidence across practice areas
- Evidence to drive policy change
- Communicating evidence
Disability policies and practice have often been more informed by values and ideology than evidence or theory. Contemporary disability practice is informed by multiple sources of knowledge derived from lived experience, theory and research evidence. In this subject students will explore the unique contributions that each of these makes to effective practice. Students will also learn to identify the empirical or theoretical underpinnings of practice with individuals and design of programs and to judge the strength and weaknesses of these: Areas covered will be tailored to student interest and existing work places but may include, approaches to communications supports, person-centred active support, practice leadership, positive behaviour support, support for decision making, accommodation support, and skills teaching. Students will learn how to connect theories and evidence used in disability practice to other fields of health and social care and by a range of disciplines.
Disability Research Landscape Review - Students to undertake a brief review of literature addressing a chosen topic and map underlying ideology/values/philosophies. Identify types and sources of knowledge and research approaches reflected in the literature gathered.
Foundations Essay - Differentiate between ideology, theory and evidence as foundations to a program intervention or approach seen in disability practice (i.e., a chosen topic).
Agency Intervention or Program Evaluation - Evaluate a particular program intervention or approach that has been adopted in disability practice (i.e., chosen topic), including: the theory underpinning it, critique of the research and evidence.
Consider translation/transfer of knowledge to practice and policy. Discuss how it would be adopted in a current setting or identify and justify an alternate approach- Disability Research Landscape Review (1,500-word equivalent) (30%)
- Foundations Essay (1,500-word equivalent) (30%)
- Agency Intervention or Program Evaluation (2,500 words) (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Others
In order to enrol in this subject, students are required to apply to OUA's Postgraduate Single Subjects program (OUA-PSU-GCE).
https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/postgraduate-single-subjects-oua-oua-psu-gce?year=2019
Note: Students wishing to apply for either the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice based on the completion of postgraduate single subjects should familiarise themselves with La Trobe's advanced standing policy. A maximum of two (2) or four (4) subjects may be credited to the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma programs, respectively.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/getting-started/new-students/advanced-standing
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
1 x 10 hours unscheduled online class per week from week 10 to week 22.
3 x 1 hour scheduled online class during semester, from week 10 to week 22
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.